48 ALLEN'S NATURALISTS LIBRARY. 



observe. With drooping wings, outspread tail, and many 

 other curious antics, accompanied by an occasional spring into 

 the air, he attempts to secure the goodwill of the ladies, and 

 when two birds meet, a slight skirmish, in which a few feathers 

 are lost, takes place. As a rule, no serious tights, such as one 

 sees between Red Grouse, occur, merely a " round with the 

 gloves," to entertain the ladies of the harem ; but occasionally, 

 when two old rivals chance to meet, a furious " set-to " may be 

 witnessed, the fight lasting till one or both birds are thoroughly 

 exhausted, bleeding and torn. These strange entertainments 

 last till the females — or " Grey-hens " as they are called — have 

 laid all their eggs and commenced to sit, when the males are 

 seen no more, the hatching of the eggs and rearing of the young 

 beins; exclusively the task of the females. 



Hybrids between the Black-cock and female Capercailzie 

 (so called Tetrao niedius) are not uncommon, and it occasion- 

 ally crosses with the Red Grouse, Willow Grouse, and more 

 rarely with the Pheasant and Hazel-Hen. 



Nest. — A slight hollow in the ground, scratched out and 

 with little lining ; usually well concealed. 



Eggs — Generally six to ten in number. Buff spotted with 

 rich brown. Average measurements, 2 inches by 1-4. 



II. THE CAUCASIAN BLACK GROUSE. LYRURUS 

 MLOKOSIEWICZI. 



Tetrao mlokosieiviczi, Tacz. P. Z. S. 1875, p. 266, woodcuts; 



Dresser, B. Europe, v. p. 219, pi. 488 (1876). 

 Tetrao acatoptricus, Radde, Orn. Caucas. p. 358 (1884) ; id. 



J. f. O. 1885, p. 79- 

 Lyrurus mlokosieiviczi, Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxn. p. 

 58 (1893). 

 Adult Male.— Plumage e?itirely black, including the under tail- 

 coverts. Total length, 20 inches; wing, 8 ; tail, 8*2 ; tarsus, 2. 

 Adult Female.— Plumage mostly rufous and buff, barred with 



